Slate lets you quickly and easily provision new phone numbers for Slate Voice and SMS, but if you want to use an existing number, you may be able to port that number into your Slate database and use it there.
📝 Note: International numbersTo port in an international number, submit a Support Desk ticket to the Porting Phone Number category. Whether you can port a given non-US phone number is determined by Twilio, the service that powers SMS and voice within Slate.
Provisioning a new number
The simplest, fastest way to get started and use Slate Voice and SMS in Slate is to provision a new number. You can provision multiple numbers and select them based on country, area code, digits, and associated zip code.
Porting numbers
If provisioning a new number does not suit your use case, you may be able to port into Slate one or more existing phone numbers that you own.
🔔 Porting can take between several weeks to several months, depending on Twilio and your pre-existing carrier partner.
SMS number only: Hosted SMS
Typically, voice and SMS functionality is transferred to Slate when porting numbers. If you wish to leave Voice capabilities with your existing provider and only use Slate for SMS with a specific number, Technolutions can support your request to enable SMS capabilities in Slate for a given number.
This process will not impact your current voice line. Your number will only be registered for SMS, which is routed through Slate.
This functionality is only available for numbers in the United States and Canada. Mobile and VOIP Numbers are not supported.
Please submit a Support Desk ticket to the Porting Phone Number category to begin the port process. To facilitate a successful porting ticket, please include the following in your Support Desk ticket:
Name: The authorized user or owner's first and last name.
Corresponding Service Address: The corresponding service address. This must be an actual physical address. PO Boxes are not considered valid service addresses.
Letter of Authorization (LOA): A Letter of Authorization (LOA) is signed by the authorized user and/or owner of the number(s). Note that the information on your LOA must match the authorized user name and service address provided by your current carrier.
Phone Bill: A scanned (or electronic) copy of the most recent phone bill within the last 30 days includes the account, owner/authorized user name, and address information for all the numbers you’d like to port. The phone number(s) should be listed on the bill.
Voice/SMS number
If you’re looking to port numbers into Slate for voice and SMS use, most of the process is handled on your behalf by Technolutions. Please submit a Support Desk ticket to the Porting Phone Number category to begin the port process.
To facilitate a successful porting ticket, please include the following in your Support Desk ticket:
Name: The authorized user or owner's first and last name
Corresponding Service Address: This must be an actual physical address. PO Boxes are not considered valid service addresses.
Letter of Authorization (LOA): A Letter of Authorization (LOA) signed by the authorized user and/or owner of the number(s). Note that the information on your LOA must match the authorized user name and service address provided by your current carrier.
Customer Service Record (CSR): You will need to contact your current carrier, and you may need to ask for your carrier's porting team. You need to specify that you want the Customer Service Record on file with the carrier, not merely your billing records.
Phone Bill: A scanned (or electronic) copy of the most recent phone bill within the last 30 days includes the account owner/authorized user name and address information for all the numbers you are looking to port into Slate.
📝 Note: Port ticket rejected?
While most numbers are portable, there are several common reasons a Port ticket might be rejected. Refer to this document from Twilio as to why some port ticket might be rejected.